Container closure



Oct. 8, 1963 E. B. iFAlRCHlLD CONTAINER cLosURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 9, 1961 Oct 8 1963 E. B. FAlRcHlLD 3,106,311

CONTAINER CLOSURE Filed Jan. 9. 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG-4 United States Patent O 3,106,311 CQNTAINER CLOSURE Edwin Bradley Fairchild, 1h55 Baranda Ave., Mountain View, Calif. Filed Jan. 9, 1961, Ser. No. 81,324 4 Claims. (Cl. 22S-60) This invention relates generally toa closure for a product container. More particularly this invention relates to a leak-proof container closure of the character which may be employed to selectively cover and uncover a prod uct dispensing opening in a container top so that product may be removed therefrom in desired quantities when the dispensing opening is uncovered `and so that the remaining product inthe containermay be subsequently retained therein upon recovering the dispensing opening with the closure.

While the subject container closure maybe employed With paperboard, metal, or plastic type containers, its usev and applicability is limited to no singleparticular type of container. However, the subject closure has been found particularly well suited for use with a squeeze-type dispensing container of plastic or paperboard of the type generally `disclosed in U.S. Patent No; 2,609,126, dated September 2, 1952. p

Desirably the subject container cl-osure is of one piece resilient molded plastic construction comprising-.a substantially nat body from which a plurality of closure Shanks depend. Each of the closure Shanks, as will be described, isiadapted to be lockingly received in one of a series of spaced openings provided in a preformed substantially rigid container top which is aliixed to and closes the upper end of a container. Generally such container tops are defined by preformed metal or plastic discs which are crimped over or otherwise secured to the end of the containerbody.

One of the closure shanks is intended to provide a generally irremovable pivot about which the closuremay be rotated to uncover the product dispensing opening during 4the dispensing operation. The container closure also is provided with a stopper shank adapted normally to be received in the dispensing opening. Such stopper shank is selectively removable from the dispensing opening and is pivot-able with the closure body about the pivot shank so that the dispensing opening may be completely un-.

covered and freed of restriction to permit ready product dispensing therefrom.

The container closurealso desirably includes means for locking the stopper shank in the dispensing opening prior to initial container opening. Such means preferably comprises a lock shank formed integral with but severably connected with the closure body. When the lock shank and closure body are separated, initial removal of the stopper shank fr-om the dispensing opening may be effected in a manner to become apparent. It should be understood, however, that the lock shank, due to' itsconstruction and interengaged relationship with the container top, will positively preclude removal of the stopper Shank from the dispensing opening solong as the stopper shank is integral with the closure body. t

"Ihe subject container closure also includes novel r taining means for normally maintaining the stopper shank inthe dispensing opening after the lock shank has been severed from the closure body. That is, novel lip structure is provided on the stopper shank which is engageable generally with the underside of the container top which l 31,106,311 Patented Oct. 8, 1963 2 j the axis of the ydispensing opening in the manner to be described.

Objects of the present invention include the following: the provision of a novel reusable container closure which is generally irremovably operatively engaged with a container; the provision of a container closure which includes rneans for positively precluding initial container opening; the provision of novel retaining means on the container closure for precluding ac-cidental uncovering of a container dispensing opening; the provision of a container closure which does not interfere ywith stacking of similar containers one on the other; the provision of a container closure which may be molded in one piece strip fashion with similar closures for economy and ease of manufacture; the provision of a container closure which y may be attached to a container top either prior to the application of the top to a container body or subsequent thereto; and the provision of a container closure which is eiective not only to preclude leakage of product from a container before the same is initially opened but also subsequent to initial .opening so that product wasting and mess are obviated. These and other objects will become apparent from the following description in which reference is directed to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a container top adapted to be affixed to a container body and with which a container closure of the subject invention is operatively engaged.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view through a container top taken in the plane of line 2-'2 of FIG. l.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the'container closure illustrating the retaining lip structures on the respective closure shanks and the annularly grooved undersurface of the closure body.

FIG. 4 -is a vertical section thro-ugh a container body to which a top has been aixed which illustrates the closure moved to the open position in which t-he dispensing opening lis restricted.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the opened container taken in the plane of line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a generally schematic view on an enlarged scale of the stopper shank of the container closure which illustrates the manner in which the shank is tilted to disengage the lip structure of the stopper shank from engagernent withthe underside of the container t-op.

LFIG. 7 is a plan view of a series of container closures illustrating the manner in whichthe same may be molded in one piece strip fashion.

The subject container closure, generally designated 1, is intended to be operatively engaged with a preformed substantially rigid top 2 intended to be secured about the upper edge of `a cylindrical container body in well known fashion. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the container top is provided with an annular flange 3 which is adapted to be crimped `downwardly over and into secure sealed engagement with the upper edge of a cylindrical container body 4 as seen in FIG. l4 of the drawings. The securing operation Vof they container top to thecontainer body is conventionaland well known, and is commonly employed, for example, in securing metal tops 'to paper board containers for cleansers and the like.

As see'n in FIGS. 2 and 4, the container top generally includes a substantially vertical circular `wall 6 which is to be engaged snugly -with the inner wall peripheryV of the container body when dlange 3 is crimped over the container edge into engagement withthe outer periphery of the container body wall. The container closurerrl desirably is positioned with its upper surface below the upper extent ofthe lcircular wall of the top so that the stacking characteristics of containers embodying the subject closure are in no way impeded. However, if in certain containers it is desired that larger container closures be employed so that such closures extend beyond the upper extent of the circular wall, because the subject closures have a generally at upper surface, the stacking of containers one on the other is still not impeded or precluded.

In the embodiment illustrated the container top 2 is provided with a series of spaced apertures 7, 8 and 9, with aperture 8 ydening the dispensing opening through which product received in said container is removable.

Attention is now directed to the specific container closure 1 illustrated which comprises a generally at body 11 which has a substantially at upper surface 12 and a composite at undersurface 13. The illustrated closure body is curved to approximate the rounded conguration of the container top. Depending from the body 111 are a series of spaced shanks 14, 16 and 17 positioned adjacent one end, centrally, and the opposite end, respectively, of the closure. The spacing between the axes of the shanks is determined by and corresponds to the spacing between the axes of the respective openings in the container top.

In the embodiment illustrated shank 14 provides a pivot about which the closure is rotatable when product is to be removed from the container. Shank 16 forms the stopper for the dispensing opening 8 while ishank 17 forms part of the lock means of the closure which precludes initial opening of the container. A closure lifting tab 18 is provided integrally with the closure at the end thereof adjacent lock shank 17. If desired, tab 18 may be corrugated, roughened or otherwise modified to facilitate grasping and lifting thereof.

Desirably, a predetermined line 19 along which the lock shank may be severed from the remainder of the container closure is provided. Preferably such line is weakened by perforations r by reducing the thickness of the closure body along the direction thereof for the purpose to be described.

As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the stopper shank 16 desirably is of hollow construction to enhance its resiliency so that insertion and removal thereof relative to the dispensing opening may be facilitated. If desired, the lock and pivot shanks also may be hollow to conserve material, but this may not be ydesirable under all conditions. If preferred, the shanks may be solid. To illustrate these alternatives, in the drawings lock shank 17 is shown solid while pivot shank 14 is shown hollow.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, reference is directed to the retaining lip structure provided on each of the shanks. As best seen in FIG. 3, the lip structure on the pivot and lock shanks 414 and 17 are designated 21 and 22 respectively. Such lip structures are of substantially annular coniiguration and extend desirably the full dis` tance around such shanks. Because, as will be described, pivot shank 14 and lock shank 17 are intended to remain at all times in leak-proof contact with the container top, the annular lips provided thereon preclude, under all normal conditions, separation of such shanks from the container top.

However, the lip structure 23` provided on stopper shank 16 extends only partway about the periphery of such shank. That is, lip structure 23 is not continuous through 360 and preferably extends only approximately halfway around the stopper shank. It should be understood however that while excellent results have been obtained when lip `23 extends substantially halfway around such shank as illustrated, such lip may be of somewhat greater or less extent as may be found desirable to produce a specific result.

With the particular lip structure employed on stopper shank 16, withdrawal of the stopper shank in the direction generally axially of the dispensing opening 8 is precluded. That is, the partial lip engages the underside of the container top and precludes axial movement thereof. However, upon tilting of the stopper shank relative to the opening axis, removal of such shank in the manner to be described is permitted.

The lock shank 17 provides means for positively locking the stopper shank in the dispensing opening when the container and its product are sold or distributed initially. That is, when the lock shank is integral with the closure body and is engaged in top opening 9 with lip 22 engaged with `the top undersurface, tilting of the stopper shank is positively precluded. It is necessary to cut or tear the closure body along line 19 to separate the lock shank 17 from the remainder of the closure. When the closure body is thus separated from the lock shank, the lifting tab 18 may be raised to tilt and withdraw the stopper shank from the dispensing opening, as seen in FIG. 4, so that pivoting of the withdrawn stopper shank away from the dispensing opening about pivot shank 14 may be effected as seen in FIG, 5. The engagement of lock shank lip 22 and pivot shank lip 21 with the container top undersurface positively precludes removal of these shanks from the openings 9 and 7 in which they are received under all normal conditions.

After the desired amount of product has been removed from the container when the stopper shank is pivoted to the position of FIG. 5, it is a simple matter to pivot the Closure body about pivot shank 14 towards the dispensing opening `8 until the stopper shank overlies the same. Thereafter, by pressing stopper shank 16 into the dispensing opening, the same may be reclosed until subsequent product withdrawal is desired. Because the closure `desirably is formed from resilient plastic material, numerous openings and closings of the dispensing opening are possible.

The subject closure is intended to maintain liquid as well as siftable powdery or other type products in a container. Accordingly, it is highly desirable that the respective openings in the container top be sealed fluid tight by the shanks of the closure. That is, it is important that the lip structures of the various shanks are securely engaged with the undersurface of the container top and that the shanks completely lill the respective openings through the container top.

In this connection, reference is directed to FIG. 2. As seen, each opening through the container top is of substantially frusto-conical construction defined by a predetermined depressed section of the container top. The bodies of the lock and pivot shanks preferably are of substantially conical or frusto-conical conligurfation so that they mate snugly with and completely fill the top sections dening the respective openings. Because it is necessary for the stopper shank to be tilted to effect removal thereof, such `shank does not conform to the shape of the dispensing opening. However, the lower portion of the stopper shank is snugly engaged in the dispensing opening and completely fills the same to obviate leakage.

Desirably the lip structures of the respective shanks are spaced from the undersurface 13 of the closure body ya distance d which corresponds gener-ally to the distance D between the annular edge E of each opening in the container top and the upper surface 26 of the top. Preferably distance D is slightly greater than distance d so that the upper portion of each retaining lip structure may be tightly engaged with the annular edge E of its corresponding opening. While it should be understood that the relative lengths of the respective shanks of the closure may be equal or unequal to each other, the distance relationship described preferably is employed for each shank and its associated opening.

To impart added resiliency to the respective shanks, body 11 of the closure is provided with Iannular undercut grooves 27, 28 and 29, respectively, about the upper ends of the respective shanks 14, 16 and 17. Such grooves impart a spring feature to the closure and also permit the respective shanks to be depressed into the openings so that the lip structures of the shanks may be snugly engaged with the annular edges E of the respective openings. That is, the grooves permit temporary distortion of the closure -body at the -upper ends of the Shanks as the Shanks are inserted. Thereafter the natural resiliency of the material tends to return the body to its undeformed shape which insures a secure engagement of each shank with its associated opening.

Removal of the stopper shank 16 from the dispensing opening 8 will now be described. Comparing FIG. 6 with FIG. 2, it will be noted that withdrawal of the stopper shank 16 from the dispensing opening lin the straight or vertical direction along the -vertioal axis 31 of the dispensing opening will be precluded by the substantially semi-circular lip 23 provi-ded on the stopper shank. To remove the stopper shank from the opening, tilting thereof so that the axis 32 of the shank is augularly related to the axis 31 of the opening is necessary. Such tilting is accomplished automatically when the lifting tab 18 of the closure is raised to raise the body of the closure in the direction of the arrow seen in FlG. 6. Tilting frees the lip structure 23 yfrom engagement with the annular edge E of the `dispensing opening so lthat withdrawal of the stopper shank may be effected. Also, because the stopper shank desirably is hollow, distortion thereof which may be necessary during the removal is permitted. In this connection, it should be understood that if the Stopper shank were provided with an annular lip, removal thereof from the ldispensing opening could be effected only with unwarranted difficulty and with substantial shank distortion.

With the lip construction shown, not only is a Secure, tight Iand leak-proof construction provided, but a simple opening operation is permitted.

Referring now to FIG. 7, another important feature of this invention is illustrated. A series of the subject container closures 1 desirably are molded in one piece strip fashion. After the molding operation, individu-al closures are severed along predetermined lines 33. Any number of `-closures may be thus moldedtogether, within the v capabilities of the molding machinery. Separation of individual closures from a strip may be effected as desired, either before or during attachment of the closures to container tops.

The closure is irrernovably attached to the container under all normal conditions by the pivot shank and the has been initially opened or otherwise tampered with before sale. That is, because the irre-movable lock shank 17 i-s laterally offset relative to the main porti-on of ebody 11 of the closure, asseen in FIGS. 1 and `3, land is connected to the body by the aforementioned well defined line of weakness 19, initial opening of the closure is effected by tearing or cutting the closure along line 19 -as described previously. Thus, Ibecause the closure body, the lock industry for applying container tops to container bodies.

shank, and the line of connection therebetween all are readily visible, a prospective purchaser may immediately determine visually whether the closurey has Ebeen initially opened. This insures that a purchaser who views a container will immediately be advised, without testing,

whether Aa tamper-free container is Ibeing purchased.

tainer after the container top `has been affixed to the container body, preferably the closure is vattached to the top prior to attachment `of the top to the container body.

As a result a top-closure unit may be applied to a container on conventional machinery.

Having made a full and complete disclosure of this invention, reference now is directed to the appended claims.

I cl-aim:

1. A one piece closure for a container for fluid, powdery and particulate products, said closure being adapted to be irremovably secured to the top of such container under all normal conditions including during dispensing of product from such container through such top, such top having three openings therethrough to accommodate portions of said closure therein; said closure being generally resilient and comprising an elongated generally flat body from which three Shanks depend in spaced relationship relative to each other, a first of said Shanks projecting from lsaid body adjacent one end thereof and having lip structure thereon for irrernovebly Vretaining said iirst shank in one of the openings in such container top, said first shank defining a pivot shank for Vsaid closure, a second of said Shanks projecting from said body adjacent the other end thereof and having'lip structure thereon for irremovably retaining said second shank in a second of the openings in such container top, said second shank defining a lock shank for said closure, the third of said Shanks projecting =from said body lgener-ally between said first and second Shanks, said third shank defining a stopper shank for Said closure which is to be removably engaged in the third opening in such container top, a graspable lifting tab on said closure body adjacent said lock shank, said lock shank being laterally offset relative to said body and being visible along a side thereof, said lock shank being severably connected to said body alongapredeterrnined line of weakness provided between said body and lsaid lock shank, said lock shank and pivot shank cooperating when said closure is engaged with such container top and said lock shank is still connected with said body to positively preclude removal of said stopper shank from said third opening in such container top, said body being adapted to Ibe severed from said lock shank along said line of weakness when said closure is engaged with such container top to permit removal of said stopper shank from said third opening and pivoting of said closure about the axis of said pivot shank to thus -unblock said third opening to permit product removal therethrough, said pivot shank being adapted to preclude separation of said closure .from such container top during such product removal and during subsequent reeng-agement of said stopper shank with said third opening.

2. A plurality of container closures each of which is formed of moldable plastic and each of which embodies the closure construction defined in claim l, said closures being integrally connected with each other in strip fashion in which said closures are molded together in one piece, each of said closures being severable from the other closures of said strip along predetermined lines to permit engagement of individual closures with individual container tops; adjacent closures of said strip being severably connected with each other along a line between the lifting tab of one closureV and the endv of the other closure which is adjacent the pivot .sh-ank thereof.

3. In combination, a one-piece leak-proof `and tamperproof container closure, and la preformed container top -for a container for fluid, powdery Iand particulate products, said closure being irremovably secured to said container t-op under all normal conditions including during dispensing of product from' the container to which said top is securable; said container top hav-ing three spaced openings therethrough in which blocking portions of said closure are received in leak-proof fashion, one of said openings being a dispensing opening through which product in such container is to be dispensed when said opening is unblocked; said closure being generally resilient and comprising an elongated generally flat body from which three shanks depend in spaced relationship relative t-o each other, one of said shanks projecting from said `body adjacent one end thereof into a second of said container top openings, said one shank completely filling said second opening in leak-proof fashion and having lip structure thereon engaged with said top which irremovably retains said one shank in said second top opening, said one shank defining a pivot shank for said closure, another of said shanks projecting from said body adjacent the other end thereof into the third of said container top openings, said another shank completely filling said third top opening in leak-proof fashion and having lip structure thereon engaged with said top which irremovahly retains s-aid -another shank in said third top opening, said another shank defining `a lock shank for said closure, the third of said shanks projecting from said body generally between said first and second mentioned shanks of said closure, said third shank defining a stopper shank for said closure, said stopper shank projecting into and completely filling said dispensing opening in said top in leak-proof fashion, a graspable lifting tab on said closure body at said one end thereof yadjacent said `lock shank, said lock shank being severably connected to said -body along a predetermined line of weakness, said lock shank and said pivot shank positively precluding removal of said stopper shank from said dispensing opening so long `as said closure body remains intact and unsevered along said line of weakness, said body `being adapted to be severed from said lock shank along said line of weakness to permit removal of said stopper shank from engagement with said top and unblocking of said dispensing opening and product removal therethrough, said pivot shank remaining positively connected with and thereby positively precluding separation of said closure from said top during such product removal.

4. In combination, a one piece leak-proof land tamperproof container closure and a preformed container top for a container for fluid, powdery and particulate products, said closure being ir-removably secured to said container top under all normal conditions including during dispensing of product from the ycontainer to which said top is securable; said container top having three spaced openings therethrough in which blocking portions of said closure are received in leak-proof fashion, one of said openings being a dispensing opening through which product in such container is to be dispensed when said opening is ublocked; said closure being generally resilient yand comprising an elongated generally fiat body from which three `Shanks depend in spaced -relationship relative to each other, one of said Shanks projecting from said body adjacent one end thereof into a second of said container top openings, said one shank completely filling said second opening in leak-in proof fashion ad having lip structure thereon engaged with said top which irremovably retains said one shank in said second top opening, said one shank defining a pivot shank for said closure, another of said Shanks projecting from said body adjacent the other end thereof into the third of said container top openings, said another shank completely filling said third top opening in leak-proof fashion and having lip structure thereon engaged with said top which irremovably retains said another shank in said third top opening, said another shank defining a lock shank for said closure, the third of said Shanks projecting from said body generally between said first and second mentioned Shanks of said closure, said third shank defining a stopper shank for said closure, said stopper shank projecting into and completely filling said dispensing opening in said top in leak-proof fashion, a graspable lifting tab `on said closure body at said one end thereof adjacent said lock shank, said lock shank being laterally offset relative to said body and being visible along a side thereof, said lock shank being severably connected yto said body along a predetermined line of weakness provided between said body and said lock shank, said lock shank and said pivot shank positively precluding removal of said stopper shank from said dispensing opening so long as said closure body remains intact 'and unsevered along said line of weakness, said body being adapted to be severed from said lock shank along said line of weakness to permit removal of said stopper shank from engagement with said top and unblocking of said dispensing opening and product removal therethrough, said pivot shank remaining positively connected with and thereby positively precluding separation of said closure from said top during such product removal, the lateral offset of said lock shank relative to said closure body providing visual means lby which it may readily Ibe visually determined when said stopper shank is positioned in said dispensing opening whether said closure has been initially opened.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,705,455 Grifiiths Mar. 12, 1929 2,859,894 Brenner Nov. 1l, 1958 2,889,089 Herrick et al. June 2, 1959 3,080,088 Corrinet Mar. 5, 1963 FOREIGN PATENTS 744,146 Great Britain Ac.. Feb. 1 1956 

1. A ONE PIECE CLOSURE FOR A CONTAINER FOR FLUID, POWERDERY AND PARTICULATE PRODUCTS, SAID CLOSURE BEING ADAPTED TO BE IRREMOVABLY SECURED TO THE TOP OF SUCH CONTAINER UNDER ALL NORMAL CONDITIONS INCLUDING DURING DISPENSING OF PRODUCT FROM SUCH CONTAINER THROUGH SUCH TOP, SUCH TOP HAVING THREE OPENINGS THERETHROUGH TO ACCOMMODATE PORTIONS OF SAID CLOSURE THEREIN; SAID CLOSURE BEING GENERALLY RESILIENT AND COMPRISING AN ELONGATED GENERALLY FLAT BODY FROM WHICH THREE SHANKS DEPEND IN SPACED RELATIONSHIP RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER, A FIRST OF SAID SHANKS PROJECTING FROM SAID BODY ADJACENT ONE END THEREOF AND HAVING LIP STRUCTURE THEREON FOR IRREMOVABLY RETAINING SAID FIRST SHANK IN ONE OF THE OPENINGS IN SUCH CONTAINER TOP, SAID FIRST SHANKS DEFINING A PIVOT SHANK FOR SAID CLOSURE, A SECOND OF SAID SHANKS PROJECTING FROM SAID BODY ADJACENT THE OTHER END THEREOF AND HAVING LIP STRUCTURE THEREON FOR IRREMOVABLY RETAINING SAID SECOND SHANK IN A SECOND OF THE OPENINGS IN SUCH CONTAINER TOP, SAID SECOND SHANK DEFINING A LOCK SHANK FOR SAID CLOSURE, THE THIRD OF SAID SHANKS PROJECTING FROM SAID BODY GENERALLY BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND SHANKS, SAID THIRD SHANK DEFINING STOPPER SHANK FOR SAID CLOSURE WHICH IS TO BE REMOVABLY ENGAGED IN THE THIRD OPENING IN SUCH CONTAINER TOP, A GRASPABLE LIFTING TAB ON SAID CLOSURE BODY ADJACENT SAID LOCK SHANK, SAID LOCK SHANK BEING LATERALLY OFFSET RELATIVE TO SAID BODY AND BEING VISIBLE ALONG A SIDE THEREOF, SAID LOCK SHANK BEING SERVERABLY CONNECTED TO SAID BODY ALONG A PREDETERMINED LINE OF WEAKNESS PROVIDED BETWEEN SAID BODY AND SAID LOCK SHANK, SAID LOCK SHANK AND PIVOT SHANK COOPERATING WHEN SAID CLOSURE IS ENGAGED WITH SUCH CONTAINER TOP AND SAID LOCK SHANK IS STILL CONNECTED WITH SAID BODY TO POSITIVELY PRECLUDE REMOVAL OF SAID STOPPER SHANK FROM SAID THIRD OPENING IN SUCH CONTAINER TOP, SAID BODYING BEING ADAPTED TO BE SEVERED FROM SAID LOCK SHANK ALONG SAID LINE OF WEAKNESS WHEN SAID CLOSURE IS ENGAGED WITH SUCH CONTAINER TOP TO PERMIT REMOVAL OF SAID STOPPER SHANK FROM SAID THIRD OPENING AND PIVOTING OF SAID CLOSURE ABOUT THE AXIS OF SAID PIVOT SHANK TO THUS UNBLOCK SAID THIRD OPENING TO PERMIT PRODUCT REMOVAL THERETHROUGH, SAID PIVOT SHANK BEING ADAPTED TO PRECLUDE SEPARATION OF SAID CLOSURE FROM SUCH CONTAINER TO DURING SUCH PRODUCT REMOVAL AND DURING SUBSEQUENT REENGAGEMENT OF SAID STOPPER SHANK WITH SAID THIRD OPENING. 